Page 33 of The 9th Man

“You are Luke Daniels?”

Double not good. He wondered what else this guy knew.

“What do I call you?” he asked.

“Ateng Persik.”

“You here on your own or on behalf of others?”

“Let’s leave that one for later.”

“I’d be grateful if your friend back there would put his hands where I can see them.”

“You’re quite polite.”

“I was raised right.”

“What if I don’t want to do that?”

He lifted his right hand and motioned. Behind him he heard the car door open. He didn’t need to look back. He knew Jillian was out, her gun aimed and ready.

“I have a shooter of my own,” he said.

“That you do.”

Without turning his head Persik barked something in another language. The man back at the car raised his hands and draped them over the door’s upper jamb.

“Happy now?” Persik asked.

“Getting there. Open your jacket for me.”

Persik did as ordered. Luke saw no weapons.

“What about your shooter?” Persik asked.

He motioned again and heard the car door shut behind him. “Now that we’ve come to know one another,what can I do for you?”

“First, I assume it was you who intervened at the Genappe house the other night?”

“Why do you ask?”

“I lost some good men.”

“You and I have different definitions of ‘good.’ They executed an old man.”

“Simply business,” Persik said.

“What could he have possibly done to deserve that?”

Persik gave a slight shake of his head. “Doesn’t matter anymore. I would like the items you just removed from that storage facility.”

“And why would I give those to you?”

“It will allow you to remain alive.”

He chuckled. “Lying is a terrible way to start a new friendship. I’ve got a counteroffer. We keep what belongs to us, and you tell us who you’re working for.”

“And why would I agree to something so absurd?”

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